WELCOMING TRANSMUTES...WHO KNEW?

The way to free yourself from pain is to feel it, not to run away, as difficult as that may be. Be a mountain and be porous at the same time. Become interested in yourself, your thoughts, your emotions, your sensations. - from Fr Richard Rohr's "Daily Meditation," August 7, 2021

I read that this morning and recognized it as that which over the years I have learned to do. That which I already know, already do...ah, what I do with current pain. 

The blinding truth came when I recognized it as the solution for what I do with my 2:00 AM rues, regrets and remorses. The pain most often mine is wrapped in those memories that I refuse to cede to God, my want-to holding me in thrall. 

The big ah-ha? My want-to is not what I thought it was, to change the facts, as in to make my regret unhappen. But, no, my well-hidden want-to was to remain the victim of those regrets...self-inflicted wounds regretted are nurtured by guilt. Blame and shame's Miracle-Gro for sure. 

There it is this morning in black-and-white, my personal evergreen instructions: Do not piss and moan and beg to be relieved of regrets, but pray thank you for the privilege of the painful memories. 

Little known, less used fact: Welcoming transmutes, a.k.a., hug 'em and  kiss 'em and let 'em go. 

Thank you.